NJ Top Court Adds Temporary Judges

The New Jersey Supreme Court is adding two new temporary judges, despite the continued stalemate between Republican Gov. Chris Christie and state Senate Democrats that is keeping permanent judges from being appointed.

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner on Tuesday moved Appellate Court Judges Ariel A. Rodriguez and Mary Catherine Cuff to the high court, reports the Asbury Park Press, to help fill a vacancy on the seven-judge panel that will soon be left by another judge’s retirement. The two will begin work on Oct. 1.

Christie has been pushing to change what he calls a liberal slant on the bench, but Senate Democrats have so far blocked his nominations to the state's highest court. His first two nominees failed to clear the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The new judges will fill the seat of Judge Dorothea Wefing, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 for state judges on Oct. 28. Wefing, was serving as a temporary judge herself. She was assigned to the Supreme Court in June of 2011.